Indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats.



J. A..SMOLICK.

INDICATING AND SALVAGING DEVICE FOR SUBMARINE'BOATS.

APPLICATION FILED on. 2. 1916.

1,%3,997, Patented not. 23, 1917.

3 SHEETS SHEET I.

Smvewtoz I I 3 m m arm L3; SS-

q/vitmaao a E W I s i I,

atto'awugo 1. A. SMOLICK.- INDICATINGAND SALVAGINGDEYICE FOR SUBMARINE BOATS.

APPUCATION HLED OCT. 2. I916.

Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

. gmwM/t-oz J. A. SMOLICK. INDICATING AND SALVAGING DEVICE FOR'SUBMARINE BOATS. APPLICATION FILED OCT-2.1916.

1,2%3,997w Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

attozmqo 4 INDICATING ANIlSALVAGING DEVICE FOR, SUBMARINE BOATS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

I Application filed October 2, 1916. Serial No. 123,288.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEREMIAH ANTHONY SiroLIoK, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii,-

the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make anduse the same.

7 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic indicating and salvaging attachments for submarine boats and the primary object. of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is adapted to be secured'to the superstructure of a submarine boat and which comprises buoys which are automatically released from the boat if the same is unable to return to the surface and thus will indicate the boats position.

A further object ofthis invention is to provide a device of this character which is provided with indicating buoys, said buoys also carrying a wire cable which ispassed through a shackle secured to the hull of the boat so that when the buoys float tothe surface, they will carry the cable and hence the lifting of the boat will be comparatively a simple matter. I p

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which is no chance of. the position of a crippled boat v I not being indicated, owing to accident to the crew.

Another object of the invention is to provide this attachment with supplemental releasing means for the buoys, so thatif the first means fails to act owing to the fact that a certain amount of water may perhaps enterthe casing, the supplemental releasing means will be operated by the water, and hence release the buoys. H

A further object of the invention. is to provide a device of this character which is easily and simply constructed, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very efficient in operation.

With these and numerous other Ob ects in view, my invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which W111 be herelnafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figurel is a partial transverse section of the upper portion of a submarine boat showing my device applied thereto; I Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in released position;

Fig. 3 is a View showing the operation of the supplemental releasing means Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 44 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section line 55 of Fig. 4; i

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the line .6-6 of. Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken line 88 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the connection for the circuit closing device.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a partial transverse section of a submarine boatof the conventional type which is designated by the numeral 1', and which is provided with a superstructure 2 in which my improved automatic indicating and salvagattachment is positioned. This attachment comprisesbuoys 3'and 4, which buoys are positioned in spaced relation along the taken on the on the boat any desired number of pairs being used according to the length, or type of submarine, boat to which this attachment is applied. For the sake of brevity, I willspccifically describe only one pair of buoys and the means by which they are detachably secured to the boat. I

The buoys 3 and 4are positioned'in the superstructure 2' of the boat in spaced relation on either side of the center of the same,

and directly in the center between the said buoys is a shackle 5, which is bolted to the upper portion of the hull of the boat.' 'These buoys 3 and 4 may be formed of any desired material, and they are detachably connected to the boat in a manner to be'hereinaft'er more fully described.

Positioned adjacent the buoy v4 is. a reel 6 which isprovided with a spring-brake 7, and on which is wound a wire cable 8. This -wire cable 8 has its opposite ends attached I to the buoys 3 and 4 as clearly shown in the drawings, and the cable is doubled inter mediate its length, so that the doubled por tion is wound on the reel. One end of the cable 8 adj acent the buoy 3 is passed through in the superstructure.

the shackle 5, so that when the buoys are detached from the boat, and the cable is unwound from the reel, the lower end of the same will be positioned. through the shackle so that upon lifting the cables, the boat will consequently be raised.

T his manner of attaching the cable to the buoys affords an easy and simple manner of providing a raising device. TllQ CtblGS that are wound on the reel are too light to perform the task of lifting the boat, but they are used as messengers, and a heavy wire chain carried by the same through the shackle, and used to raise the boat. It will be obvious that owing to the fact that there are several pairs of buoys positioned along the superstructure of the submarine boat, when the boat is disabled, and is unable to rise to'the surface, several cables will be carried to the top by the buoys when they are detached. In this manner the boat may be raised on an even keel without endanger-- ing the lives of the occupants, or in any manner ei'idangering the internal machinery.

Secured to the lower surface of the upper portion of the hull of the boat 1 directly beneath the buoys 3 and at is a casing 9, that extends across the boat so that it will be positioned beneath. each of the buoys. This casing 9 has a false bottom 10, and positioned between the false bottom 10 and the bottom of the casing 9 are a plurality of batteries 11 which are used in the operation of the detaching means of said buoys. The buoys 3 and i have downwardly projecting stems 12, that project through the hull of the boat and are disposed within the casing 9, when the buoys are secured or attached The projecting stems 12 are surrounded by tubular casings 13, which are water-tight, and which have flared open upper ends secured around the openings in the hull through which the stem is passed. The lower ends of these casings are closed, and the connection between the upper ends of the same and the hull is made water-tight, so that no water will be able to leak into the casing 9.

Positioned within the casing 9 and centrally between the tubular casings 13, is a vertical shaft 14 upon which is mounted a substantially U-shaped frame 15 having laterally projecting portions 16 with upturned ends 17, that are disposed parallel with the said frame. The closed end of the frame 15 surrounds the vertical shaft or bar 14. and is slidably mounted thereon, and mounted on the lower end of the bar is a coil spring 18, which has its upper end positioned against the closed end of the frame. This coil spring 18 is adapted to be compressed by moving the frame 16 downwardly, and

the same may be held under pressure by the insertion of a locking pin 1.9 between the closed end and the bar, which will securely hold the frame in position against the tension of the spring. Thls pm 19 is formed of salammoniac or any other desired material 20, which have upright sides 21 with alining openings 22 therethrough. Positioned through the alining openings 22 of these sides are rods or bars 23, which are slidably mounted, and which are provided with notches 24; adjacent one end. Portions of the rods 23 between the sides of the brackets are surrounded by coil springs 25, and secured to one of the sides 21 of the brackets are pivoted levers 26, which are adapted to form locks for the rods, when the same is forced outwardly through the brackets against the tension of the springs 25, and the notches 2% therein will receive said levers. Each lever 26 has a projecting portion 27 that extends outwardly, and is disposed substantially in alinement with the projecting portion of the lever on the opposite bracket. Each of the brackets 20 is provided with a rod, and the above described attachment, and these rods have their outer ends attached to one end of rock shafts 28 which are journaled through the sides of the tubular casings 13 in stufling boxes as shown at 29.

The rock shafts 28 have their ends p0- sitioned within the tubular casings bent upwardly as shown at 30, and have their eX- tremities forked as shown at 31, the forked portions being adaptedfor engagement with notches 32 in the lower ends of the stems 12 of the buoys. The rock shafts 28 are journaled through the sides of the castings in stuffing boxes, so that there will be no chance of any water leaking through the openings into the casing 9. These shafts are bent adjacent their opposite ends, and the ends of the same are connected with the sliding bar, and the lower ends of the stems respectively. When these parts are in operative position,

the sliding bars 23 that are disposed in the brackets 20 are forced through said brackets so as to compress the springs 25, and the locking lever 26 is swung down in opera tive position. This will pull the connected ends of the rock shafts 28 inwardly, and consequently the opposite forked ends of these shafts will be moved into operative position with the lower notched ends of the stems 12 of the buoys. In this manner, the

buoys will be locked into engagement with detached therefrom when the submarine boat is submerged. The locking levers 26 will have their projecting portions 27 disposed in alinement for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. These projecting portions will be posit-ioned with their ends adjacent each other, a certain amount of space being left between their ends.

The upturned extremities 17 of the frame 15 will be positioned substantially in the space between the ends of the levers-26, and

'slidably mounted on their ends is a trip-plate 33 which is provided with a pair of openings 31 adapted to receive therein, the ends 17 of the frame. This plate will easily slide up and down on the ends, which will'form guides for its vertical movement. The plate 33 is so positioned that it will be disposed directly beneath the projecting end portions 27 of the locking levers 26, so that any upward movement of this plate will conse- "quently raise the locking levers 26 and release the sliding bar 23.

As soon as the trip-plate 33 is raised, and the locking means are disengaged from the notches in the sliding bars 23, these bars owing to the expansion of the springs 25 will be forced outward, and consequently they will move the rock shafts 28. Upon'the movement of the connected end of these shafts caused by the sliding bars, the opposite ends of the shafts will be detached from the lower ends of the stems 12 of the buoys, and consequently the buoys will be freed from the boat and will rise to the surface. Sutlicient space is left between the stems 12 and the casings13 to allow the end of the rock shafts positioned therein to move freely, so that the forked ends of the same may be easily withdrawn from the notches in the stems upon very slight movement.

The primary means for raising the trip 33 to release the buoys from theboat, comprises a solenoid 35 that is placed on the bot tom 10 of the casing 9, directly beneath the trip. This solenoid is operatively connected with the batteries 11 in the bottom of the casing, and positioned in ft-118 same circuit therewith is a clock 36'that is provided with a circuit closer 37. These parts are so arranged that when the boat dlves, the c1rcu1t closer on the clock is set'for a certain time,

and when the time is reached, the hands of the clock will close the circuit, and consequently operate the solenoid. This 'will cause thecore 38 of the solenoid to move vertically upward and to force the trip-plate 33 upwardly on the guide 17 of the frame, to'

raise the locking levers 26. This operation will release the buoys from the boat autoy matically.

From the above described construction and arrangement of parts, it will'be seen that it is a comparatively simple matter to release the buoys from the boat automatically at a predeterminedtime. By the use of a circuit closer of this character, it will be certain that the buoys will be released, without any manual operation, after a certain length of time the boat is beneath the surface. This obviates all danger of the inability of the crew to release the indicating buoys owing to some accident of the machinery of the boat which will render them unconscious and therefore unable to operate the salvaging device.

In case of any accident Where the Water should force-an entrance into the casing 9, the'batteries 11 disposed in the bottom thereof would consequently become inoperative, and this detaching means would not operate. To overcome this objection, I have provided a supplemental detaching means, which has been hereinbefore described in detail, and which comprises the slidable frame 15 that is secured under spring tension by the salammoniac pin 19 on the vertical bar 14. If

- water should enter the casing 9 and render the batteries 11 inoperative, the solenoid 35 consequently would not operate to move the trip 33 upwardly, but owing to the fact that the frame 15 upon which the trip is mounted and supported being held under spring tension, when the water surrounds the locking pin, and the said pin dissolves, the spring 16 will expand and consequently raise the frame 15 and the trip-plate 33 disposed thereon. This operation will raise the locking levers 26, and release the buoys from the boat in the manner hereinbefore fully described. V

This supplemental detachingmeans af-' fords a safe and absolutely certain operation of this attachment, no matter whatthe circumstances under which the same is applied. The locking pin 19 may be formed of any desirable 'Inaterial that'will readily dissolve when surrounded by water, so as to allow the frame 15 to move upwardly. The trip that is positioned on the upturned ends 17 of the arms ofthe'fraine 15 is normally positionedat the lower end of the -same,'so that upon any'upward movement of the supporting frame, thetrip" will be raised and-the locking levers 26 released. From the arrangement above described," it

will be obvious that the 'prima'ry releasing therein a reel 41. upon which is adapted to be wound a coil of telephone wire The stem 12 of the buoy a is formed with a tubular passage 13 that extends from its upper end to a point adjacent its lower end and then projects laterally outward until it terminates in an opening 'rt through the side of the same. The telephone wire from the reel is passed downwardly through this passage and out through the side of the stem, and this is extended through the side of the tubular casing 13, where it is attached to a telephone set at. By this means, when the buoys are released and are picked up by a rescuing ship, telephoning communication may be immediately established between the crew of the wrecked submarine and the rescuing boat.

I claim v 1.. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having Y a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a movable member engaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a trip to re lease the lock, means to operate the trip whereby the buoy is released, and a supplemental trip operating means operable when surrounded by water.

2. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy,

' means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a movable member ongaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a trip to re lease the lock, means to automatically operate the trip whereby the buoy is released, and a supplemental trip operating means operable when surrounded by water.

3. An indicating and salvaging device tor submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably lockingsaid buoy to the boat including a movable member engaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a trip to re lease the lock, means to operate said trip at a predetermined time whereby the buoy is released, and a supplemental trip operating means operable when surrounded by water.

4; An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a movable member engaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a trip to release the lock, circuit controlled means for operating said trip at a predetermined time whereby the buoy is released, and a supplemental trip operating means operable when surrounded by water.

5. An indicating and, salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a movable member engaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a plate disposed beneath said lock, and movable to release the same, a solenoid disposed beneath said plate, circuit controlled means to operate said solenoid to move the plate at a predetermined time, and a supplemental trip operating means operable when surrounded by water.

6. An indicating and salvaging devicefor.

submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a movable member engaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a plate disposed beneath said lock, and movable to release the same, a self-actuated plate support normally locked against movement, circuit controlled means moving said plate at a predetermined time without movement of the support, and supplemental means for releasing said support when surrounded by water to move the plate.

7. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a casing surrounding said stem, a rock shaft journaled through said casing and having one end connected with thestem, a self-actuated member con nected with the opposite end ofsaid shaft, a lock for said member, and an automatically operated trip to release the lock Whereby the shaft is disconnected from the stem and the buoy is released.

8. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a casing surrounding said stem, a rock shaft journaled through the casing and having its inner end forked, said stem having its lower end notched and adapted to receive said forks when in locked position, a self-actuated member connected with the opposite end of said shaft, a lock for said member, and an automatically operated trip to release said lock whereby the shaft is rocked and its forked end is disconnected from the stem to release the buoy.

9. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a rock shaft detachably connected with said stem at one end, a bracket, a spring actuated sliding bar in said bracket connected With the other end of said shaft and adapted to rock the same, a lock to hold said bar under spring tension, and an automatically operated trip to release said lock.

10. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a rock shaft detachably connected with said stem at one end, a bracket, a spring actuated sliding bar in said bracket connected with the other end of said shaft and adapted to rock the same, a pivoted lever adapted for engagement with a notch in said bar when the spring is compressed, and an automatically operated trip disposed beneath said lever and adapted to move the same from the notch to release said bar.

11. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a movable member engaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a solenoid disposed beneath said plate, and circuit controlled means to operate said solenoid to move the plate at a predetermined time.

12. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a buoy having a stem projecting through the hull of the boat, a cable connecting said boat and buoy, means for detachably locking said buoy to the boat including a movable member engaging the stem, a self-actuated member connected with the movable member, a lock for said self-actuated member, a vertical shaft, a spring actuated plate supporting frame slidably mounted on said shaft, a pin to hold said frame under spring tension, said pin being adapted to dissolve when surrounded by water whereby the frame and plate will be moved by the expansion of the spring. V

13. An indicating and salvaging device for submarine boats comprising a pair of spaced buoys detachably connected with the boat and disposed in the superstructure of the same, a shackle positioned between said buoys, a cable passing at one end through said shackle and having its opposite ends secured to said buoys, said cable being doubled upon itself substantially midwayits ends, and a reel upon Which the doubled portion of said cable is wound, but unsecured.

14. The combination with a submarine, of a buoy, a cable to be carried from the submarine to the surface of the Water by said buoy, means for normally connecting said buoy with the submarine, time controlled means for releasing said connecting means automatically when the submarine has been submerged a predetermined time, and wateroperated means for automatically releasing said connecting means in case said time controlled releasing means should fail to operate.

15. Ihe combination With a submarine, of a buoy, a cable to be carried from the submarine to the surface by said buoy, means for normally connecting said buoy With the submarine, time controlled means for automatically releasing said connecting means when the vessel has been submerged a predetermined length of time, and additional means for releasing said connecting means and including a prime mover and a soluble abutment for normally preventing movement thereof, said abutment being located in a substantially water-tight chamber which, however, may fill gradually with the water in case the vessel is submerged an unusual length of time.

16. The combination with a submarine, of a buoy, a cable to be carried from said submarine to the surface of the Water by said buoy, means for normally connecting said buoy with the submarine, and means for releasing said connecting means including a prime mover, a soluble abutment for normally preventing movement thereof, and a substantially water-tight chamber in which said abutment is located, said chamber being permitted to fill slowly with water-in case the vessel is submerged an unusual length of time.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEREMIAH ANTHONY SMOLICK.

Witnesses:

LAWRENCE E. MYERS, S'rooKARD R. HICKEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0 

